The
following 27 kind and generous fellows bought a rare tractor–an Aultman-Taylor 25-50–at an auction sale in
September of this year: A. Boe. M. Aashiem, V. Bergh, V
Bren-tensen, J. Eggen, E. Falk, R. Fowler, P. Golterman, A.
Gabrealsen, E. Holje, M. Hilyard, V. Justice, O. Kleppen, II. King,
Wm. Lord, 0. Lee, W. Morstad, A. Michels, V. Michels, G. Melby, E.
Melby, R. McCarty. L. Pierce, C. Saxton, S. Sorenson, R. Tiegen,
and J. & ll. All of the contributory are residents of
Sheridan County, Montana. Some eager, and I will add, inconsiderate
outsiders made it cost us a lot of money to keep the engine in this
area. After the sale three of the co-owners drove the tractor seventeen miles to the Andy Michels Ranch and parked by
the shop. Louis Pierce, Waldo Morslad and Andy were the crew–an
all-day chore.
Since then, Earl Holje, Wm. Lord, Louis Pierce, Peewee Hilyard, Bob
Tiegen and Andy Michels have worked on it every Sunday. After much
repairing and work, we have it running like new. (November 12, 1967). Pulled
five 16′ plows 10″ deep easily. Now, to clean it up,
replace canopy, and re-paint.
This engine must be quite rare. It was only produced from 1916 to
1919. There are many 30 – 60’s about. They were produced from
1909 to 1924. The fact that they stayed with us until 1924
certainly gives credit to them as most heavy tractors of the type
were discontinued years before that. As I mentioned, the younger
sister (25 – 50) was discontinued in 1919. l know the 35 – 70
Minneapolis was still with us in 1928 and there may have been
others.
I think this is also worthy of mention: the old girl sat in one spot for
37 years to the month. The local Buick dealer commented that he
overhauled a 25 – 50 Aultman in 1920 or so. This is the
same type of engine.
This tractor is to be restored to its original condition to the
best of our collective abilities and is for the enjoyment to all.
To this end, it will be available for any celebration or “doing” anywhere that anyone will pay the expenses to and
from, provided a responsible crew operates it.
More Engines
Our small son, Jimmy, likes to show others how the corn is
ground. He created a lot of interest with it by letting other
children dump the shelled corn in the hopper. People were surprised
at the noise it would make when it hit the burrs and then came out
as cornmeal. We found the little mill in a scrap iron yard.
I spend many hours with my boys Tom and Jim working on
our engines. My three daughters, with Jim’s help, usually
get in on the re-paint jobs. At the Sweet Corn Festival even Mom
pitched in by packing a picnic lunch for us, but the people were so
interested we hardly had time to eat.
We also have a well that pumps water. I got the pump complete
with cylinder from my old homestead just ahead of the bulldozer. We
built a well platform and are now able to move it easily.
Some of our engines I found in scrap iron yards and others I
traded for. Seven of our fourteen engines are in running order. We
hope to have the other seven running soon. They range from 1 and 2
cylinder Maytags to a 6 H.P. Jaeger. Our John Deere was made in
Waterloo, Iowa. It created quite a restoration job because the
die cast on the magneto drive was broken and, of course,
couldn’t be welded. Tom and I found a piece of stainless steel.
By using the old magneto plate as a pattern, we made a new one on
our lathe. The magneto has worked just dandy.
In addition to demonstrating at the National Sweet Corn Festival
this year, we had a display at the Home Hospital Fair, Lafayette,
Indiana, and the Benton County Fair, Boswell, Indiana. As my
collection increases, I hope to be able to take them to more fairs
and festivals.
If you’re ever in the Ambia, Indiana, area be sure to stop
by. We’d be glad to see you.
